January Association Update
Upcoming Events
Equity Series - February - June 2021
At LeadMN, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity is at the core of what we do. We want educate our students about the importance of living a cultural competent lifestyle.
Advocacy Day — February 15-16
Join with hundreds of students from across Minnesota's 30 community and technical colleges to advocate for making college affordable, fight for racial justice and ensure that students basic needs are being met. Register here.
DC Summit — March 21-24
This four-day virtual trip to DC will help you uplift student voices in the halls of the capitol to make college affordable, address racial equity, and ensure that student basic needs are being met on campus. Attendees will gain hands-on experience working on federal higher education issues, insight into how Washington DC works, and have a little fun. Register here.
LeadMN News
Testimony to Board of Trustees on Responding to COVID
In written testimony before the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, LeadMN President Mayowa told board members that inaction to address the pandemic is exacerbating the problems for students.
Letter to the FCC on Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund
LeadMN wrote a letter to the Federal Communication Commission on how participating providers in the new Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund should verify that a household is eligible to participate based on the receipt of a federal Pell Grant.
Star Tribune: Minnesota colleges receive more than $300 million in stimulus aid
The Star Tribune covered LeadMN's effort to urge colleges to spend federal stimulus money to support students. The article says that students "are pushing for the one-time funding to be used to freeze tuition, forgive some debts and invest in campus mental health services."
Join the Youth Ambassador Program World Expo 2021
Be the face of America! Join a cohort of 74 other students in representing the USA at the World Expo. LeadMN is offering the opportunity to help you make your resume and gather what you need for a great application to be a Youth Ambassador!
Letter to Chancellor on New Emergency Grants
Right before the new year, the federal government passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. That legislation will include another round of emergency grants to students that will be distributed by colleges. We heard from students about challenges that they experienced during the first round of funding and sent the following letter to Chancellor Malhotra on ways that campuses could improve the process for students.
Star Tribune: Fewer Minnesota high school seniors are filing for college financial aid, raising fears of enrollment loss
The Star Tribune covered how significantly fewer Minnesota high school seniors are completing the FAFSA form this year. That is a leading indicator for college enrollment next fall. LeadMN is responding to this decline by asking that high schools make the FAFSA form mandatory for graduating seniors. This idea has boosted college enrollment in the two states that have tried it.
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